With all the new subclasses to play around with inBaldur’s Gate 3’s newest (and final) patch update comes the highly anticipated Way of the Drunken Master Monk subclass. The Drunken Monk has some awesome new melee abilities and alcohol-based enhancements, and is the perfect fit for a Tavern Brawler-style build. The Way of the Drunken Master allows you to take advantage of the copious amount of booze lying around each area. A core feature of the subclass is that it prevents the negative side-effects of alcohol and gives you increased damage against drunk enemies.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8introducesthe Way of the Drunken Monk, allowing players to take advantage of the booze-focused items in the game. I opted for a Rock Gnome for this build to take advantage of the Saving Throws, but all races are viable for the Way of the Drunken Master. In terms of stats, you’ll want to end up with high Dexterity and Wisdom, as well as Constitution. You’ll also want to keep a fresh supply of alcohol on hand, which shouldn’t be a problem given the multitude of drink options available.
Way Of The Drunken Master Monk Subclass In BG3 Explained
Get Drunk & Avoid The Hangover
The main feature of theWay of the Drunken Master subclassis that you are able to drink booze and not experience any of the negative side effects, instead receiving unique buffs. When you open Way of the Drunken Master at Level 3, you acquire the Cheeky Tipple passive feature, whichmakes you Immune to the Disadvantage on Dexterity and Charisma checks,and lasts 5 turns. This passive also allows you to use booze to refill half of your Ki points once per day. At Level 3, you’ll also receive theDrunken Technique bonus action.
Drunken Technique allows you to move around opponents without them taking opportunity attacks, making it possible to deal massive damage and move out of melee range in the same turn.
The Drunken Monk build starts to kick online at Level 4 when you receive the Intoxicating Strike attack and the Life of the Party passive. Intoxicating Strike has a chance to inflict your target with the Drunk condition, whileLife of the Party increases AC and Attack Rolls against Drunk targets. You’ll also be able to take the Tavern Brawler feat at Level 4, which is a Drunken Monk essential and synergizes really well with all things Way of the Drunken Monk. There are also two subclass features at Level 6: Leap to Your Feet and Redirect Attack.
Leap to Your Feet decreases movement cost of getting up after being knocked prone, while Redirect Attack allows you to spend a Ki point on an unarmed attack against a target that missed their melee attack against you. In the late game, you’ll get the Sobering Realization ability at Level 9, which is the best attack for the class,dealing Psychic damage to drunk enemies. Get them drunk with Intoxicating Strike, hit them with a Sobering Realization, profit. Finally, you can get the Drunkard’s Luck passive at Level 11, allowing you to spend Ki points to negate disadvantage.
Best Build For Way Of The Drunken Master Monk In Baldur’s Gate 3
Party Hard With The Amulet Of The Drunkard & Drunken Cloth Robes
There are a couple core pieces of gear I’d recommend for the Drunken Monk build, though all of these are mid- to late-game items. The first essential item that takes this build to the next level can be found in Act 3, theAmulet of the Drunkard,sold by Hoots Hooligan at Sharess' Caress. In addition to the Cheeky Tipple Drunk duration buff, this amulet willincrease your total drunk time from a sip of booze to 10 turns,AND you’ll regain HP each turn you’re Drunk with it equipped.
Another key item is theDrunken Clotharmor, which is sold by Severn in the Guildhall in Act 3. While drunk, these robes give you Advantage on Con saving throws, and you gain temporary HP equal to your Con modifier at the start of each turn.The Drunken Cloth and Amulet of the Drunkard are the only two essential itemsfor a great Way of the Drunken Master build, and there’s a lot of flexibility with your other gear. There are a ton of great glove options for Monks, though the Bracers of Defense are a personal favorite.
Best Strategy For A Drunken Master Build
Drunk ‘Em Up & Knock ‘Em Down
The Way of the Drunken Master build is a pretty straightforward Monk build that doesn’t need to dip into other classes, though you might consider taking three Rogue levels after picking up the Level 9 Sobering Realization ability. This will give you an additional attack, but you’ll be sacrificing an ASI and won’t have access to the Level 11 Drunkard’s Luck passive. Finding booze for this build shouldn’t be an issue, butonce you have the Amulet of the Drunkard, you won’t be burning through quite as much, since your Drunk state will last a lot longer.
Your best bet with this build is to get your targets drunk, clear away using the Drunken Technique bonus action so they can’t hit you, then run back in and knock them silly with a Sobering Realization. Drink, rinse, and repeat. Overall, this is a really fun and uncomplicated build that only needs a couple of core items to get you intoxicating opponents and knocking them on their butts. If you’re looking to try a simple new subclass from the new patch forBaldur’s Gate 3, choose The Way of the Drunken Master and be the life of the party.
